Saltwater fish acclimation is more rigorous than freshwater because of salinity + pH differences between bag water and your tank. Step 1: float bag. 15 minutes for temperature match. Don't open the bag yet. Step 2: transfer to acclimation container. Cut the bag, pour bag water + fish into a 1-2 gallon bucket or specimen container. Place at tank height. Step 3: drip line. Use airline tubing tied off to the tank with a knotted/clamped end for drip rate control. Start a siphon, then tighten the clamp to 2-4 drops per second. Step 4: drip for 60-120 minutes. Sensitivity scale: 60 min for hardy damsels, 90 min for community fish, 120 min for wrasses, anthias, dragonets, shrimp, snails. Bag volume should double. Step 5: discard halfway. When the container is full, discard ~50% of the water (down the drain, NOT into your display - bag water can carry pathogens). Step 6: net + transfer. Net the fish into the display - never pour bag water in. Step 7: dim lights + minimize disturbance. Lights off for 4-6 hours after release. QT first: for sensitive fish, drip into QT, not display. 30-day QT minimum + species-appropriate prophylactic treatment (copper for non-invertebrates, prazi for flukes).
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